*Automated search based on player first/last name, college team name, football, 3 loading panels, click video to view in full size on this page,watch or fast forward one full video, or open player with red arrow to choose more cuts at the bottom of the big video screen.Click "I'm done watching this" blue link at the top of video to close screen. If available/HQ changes video quality.

Overview

Henderson was the school's first Playbay All-American (2007) selection since his brother, E.J., was chosen to that same squad in 2002. The consummate team player, he made the switch from quarterback to linebacker in 2004, growing from a 205-pound passer into the 236-pound terror on the playing field he has become over the last two years.

A true warrior, he has battled left knee problems ever since sitting out the 2005 campaign due to an anterior cruciate ligament tear. In 2007, he spent most of the practice weeks on the sideline with a meniscus tear and anterior cruciate ligament sprain in the same knee, putting forth a valiant effort on the field.

The Terrapins have had a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference linebacker in five of the last seven seasons. Henderson's brother, E.J., (2001-02), and D'Qwell Jackson (2004-05) were first-team choices. Erin, who also received All-ACC, All-American and Butkus Award semifinalist recognition as a junior, finishing his two-year career with 247 tackles, leading the conference in tackles in 2007 while ranking second the previous season.

At Aberdeen High School, Henderson was a four-year starter who played quarterback and linebacker, excelling on both sides of the ball. He was named Baltimore Sun Player of the Year as a senior, and he was also a first-team All-State (Associated Press), All-Metro (Baltimore Sun) and All-County honors. As a junior, he was the Associated Press All-State middle linebacker and Mid-Atlantic All-Region pick by Super Prep. He added All-Region accolades by Prep Star and ranked the sixth-best inside linebacker in the country by ESPN.com's Tom Lemming.

In 2003, Henderson completed 84-of-155 passes for 1,580 yards, 20 touchdowns and four interceptions, leading his team to its first state championship. He also ran for 883 yards with eight touchdowns while posting a team-high 138 tackles and two interceptions. His best game may have been in the state 2A semifinals when he threw for three scores on a sprained ankle, bringing his team back from an 18-point deficit.

Henderson gained 1,005 yards with 15 touchdowns passing, ran for 350 yards and six scores and averaged over 13 tackles per game as a junior. He also lettered in basketball as a small forward and performed as a sprinter on the track team.

Henderson was recruited by Virginia, Purdue and North Carolina, but decided to enroll at Maryland in 2004. He spent the first part of the season on the scout team as a quarterback before shifting to outside linebacker at midseason. He was primed to take over weak-side outside linebacker duties in 2005, but suffered a torn knee ligament two weeks into August camp and was forced to sit out the entire season.

In 2006, he started 12 games at weak-side linebacker, earning second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. He led the team and ranked second in the league with 114 tackles (54 solos), including a sack and 6.5 stops for losses. He also caused three fumbles and intercepted a pair of passes, returning one for a touchdown.

Despite battling knee problems all year (missed the Georgia Tech game), Henderson led the ACC and ranked ninth in the nation with 133 tackles (59 solos), adding a sack and eleven stops behind the line of scrimmage. The All-American and All-ACC first-team pick also recovered four fumbles, picked off a pass and deflected two others while also gaining 12 yards on a fake punt.

After the Emerald Bowl, Henderson announced that he was leaving Maryland and applying for the 2008 NFL Draft. "After discussing the matter with my family in recent days, we felt like the time was right to take the next step," Henderson said in a statement. "The fact that he graduates leans toward him coming out," head coach Ralph Friedgen said of his linebacker, who already has graduated. "I really can't complain when a guy's got a degree. I just want to make sure he gets the most bang for his buck."

Analysis

Positives: Has a solid upper body build with decent muscle definition in his lower frame... Has a firm midsection, loose and fluid hips and less than 11 percent body fat...Has good arm definition and thick calves...Shows good quickness and does a nice job of protecting his feet from low blocks when working down the line...Has the balance and agility to redirect with no wasted motion...Has quick acceleration to close on plays in front of him and good ability to move laterally and give chase at the opposite end of the field...Has excellent work habits and pushes himself hard in the training room (coaches had to constantly order and sometimes even threaten him last year to stay off the practice field, as he was frustrated he could not take part in the weekly activities with the staff trying to save him for game action instead)...Has grown into his leadership role and shows the ability to easily grasp a complicated game plan...Usually in position to make the play, as he generally makes quick reads...Plays patiently and in control (never penalized) and has no problems identifying what the offense throws in front of him (struggles a bit when dropping back in zone coverage)...Lacks ideal bulk and is not stout at the point of attack, but has the slippery moves to avoid (just needs to be more aggressive taking on blocks, as he tries too much to avoid and this sometimes makes him late getting back to the ball)...Will wrong-shoulder at times, but shows good courage stepping up to fill the gaps...Plays with good leverage and knee bend and also at a proper pad level, doing a nice job of keeping containment on the tight ends (just needs to use the right shoulder trying to bounce off blocks)...Not as active with his hands as you would want from a linebacker trying to reroute or press a receiver, but when he does latch on or shoot his hands, he does so with good force to jolt...Stays low in his pads and keeps blockers off his feet in attempts to neutralize the weak-side running attack...Has the burst to head off ballcarriers on the corners and runs down his opponent with good urgency...Can redirect and pursue inside on plays away from him...With his acceleration, he consistently makes plays in space, going well with the flow of the ball, as he sifts through trash and executes a sudden burst to close...Solid overall tackler with the strength to take down the ballcarrier or drive the opponent back...Brings a good little thump when attacking inside the rush lanes and is a solid face-up tackler who will wrap securely as well as chase down...Has the speed to run with backs coming out of the backfield and the hip rotation to mirror...Shows decent anticipation and timing on the blitz, but is better when containing than pressing at the X's...Can be sudden coming off the edge and closes fast on the pocket when given a free lane...Even when he gets absorbed working inside, he gives good effort and refuses to quit.

Negatives: Has battled left knee problems since 2005 and further medical evaluation might be required...Has good upper body development, but could use at least another 10 pounds of bulk, but his frame might be at maximum growth potential without having the added weight impact his playing speed...Even though he has four interceptions during his career, he is not a natural pass catcher as he will body and double-catch the ball (also must show better concentration to look the ball in)...Good run stuffer, but tends to run around or use his wrong shoulder trying to play off blocks, resulting in him losing some leverage...Needs to generate better hand usage in attempts to reroute tight ends and backs or disengage from blocks...Sifts through trash and has a good burst to close, but spends so much time trying to avoid blocks that he is sometimes late getting involved in the action...Despite experience as a quarterback, he has just an adequate feel in the passing game as he gets just adequate depth on his pass drops and needs to play with his head more on a swivel...Best playing inside the box, where he has a much better feel for the flow of the ball, as he is still learning proper zone concepts (sometimes late with his anticipation and tracking the ball in flight).

Compares To: ANGELO CROWELL-Buffalo...Crowell went through the same knee problems during his college career, but has found a home in the NFL. Henderson is more athletic than his brother, E.J. (Minnesota), but both have had more than their fair share of injuries. He is still a work in progress as far as showing pass coverage instincts, but evident by his 247 tackles he is a solid downhill player who shows good urgency closing on plays in front of him. Unless some team has total confidence that his knee is sound, he could slip a bit on draft day. But, if healthy, he has a lot of promise and is still molding his game, making him an inviting project for a patient coach. Ideally, he would be a nice fit in Mike Zimmer's newly installed 3-4 defensive alignment in Cincinnati.

Career Notes

In two seasons with the varsity, Henderson started 24 of the 25 games he played in. He recorded 247 tackles (113 solos) with two sacks for minus-12 yards and 17.5 stops for losses of 42 yards. He caused four fumbles and recovered four others, returning two for a total of 39 yards. He also gained 57 yards with a touchdown on three interceptions, ran for a 12-yard gain and batted away four passes.

2007 Season

All-American first-team selection by College Football Network and ESPN, adding third-team accolades from The NFL Draft Report and Rivals.com and honorable mention from Pro Football Weekly, College Football News and Sports Illustrated...Added Playboy All-American recognition (brother, E.J., was a member of Playboy's 2002 team)...First-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick...Butkus Award semi-finalist (nation's top linebacker) who led the ACC and ranked ninth in the nation in tackles per game (11.08)...Named to the preseason watch list for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy and Bednarik Award, which each honor going to the top defensive player in the country...Paced the Terps with a career-high 133 tackles (59 solos), including a 7-yard sack and eleven stops for losses of 29 yards...Caused a fumble and recovered four others, returning two for 39 yards...Had an 8-yard interception return and two pass deflections...Also carried once for a 12-yard gain... Started twelve games at weak-side linebacker, sitting out the Georgia Tech game with a left knee sprain and torn meniscus.

All-Atlantic Coast Conference second-team selection...Started twelve games at weak-side linebacker, coming off the bench vs. Florida International...Led the team and ranked second in the ACC with an average of 8.77 tackles per game...Recorded 114 tackles (54 solos) with a 5-yard sack and 6.5 stops for losses of 13 yards...Caused three fumbles and deflected two passes...Had two interceptions for 49 yards in returns and a touchdown.

Had a banner spring camp and was scheduled to take over weak-side outside linebacker duties, but during the second week of August drills, he suffered a left knee torn anterior cruciate ligament and was forced to sit out the season.

2004 Season

Redshirted as a freshman...Spent the first part of the year on offense for the scout team, but was moved to outside linebacker midway through the campaign.

Injury Report

2003: Suffered a high ankle sprain in the state semifinal game during his high school senior year.

2005: Sat out the season due to a left knee torn anterior cruciate ligament that he suffered during the second week of August camp.

2007: Did not practice most of the season due to a left knee meniscus tear and an anterior cruciate ligament sprain that eventually forced him to sit out vs. Georgia Tech (10/06)... Suffered a shoulder contusion vs. West Virginia (9/13).

Attended Aberdeen (Md.) High School, playing football for head coach Joseph Harbert...Four-year starter who played quarterback and linebacker, excelling on both sides of the ball...Named Baltimore Sun Player of the Year as a senior, and he was also a first-team All-State (Associated Press), All-Metro (Baltimore Sun) and All-County honors...As a junior, he was the Associated Press All-state middle linebacker and Mid-Atlantic All-Region pick by Super Prep...Added All-Region accolades by Prep Star and ranked the sixth-best inside linebacker in the country by ESPN.com's Tom Lemming...In 2003, Henderson completed 84-of-155 passes for 1,580 yards, 20 touchdowns and four interceptions, leading his team to its first state championship...Also ran for 883 yards with eight touchdowns while posting a team-high 138 tackles and two interceptions...His best game may have been in the state 2A semifinals when he threw for three scores on a sprained ankle, bringing his team back from an 18-point deficit to advance to the state title game...Gained 1,005 yards with 15 touchdowns passing, ran for 350 yards and six scores and averaged over 13 tackles per game as a junior...Also lettered in basketball as a small forward and performed as a sprinter on the track team.

Personal

Communications major...Older brother, E.J., was a two-time consensus All-American and Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2001-02) who won the Butkus and Bednarik Awards while at Maryland. E.J. currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings...Son of Quinette and Eric Henderson...Born 7/01/86...Resides in Aberdeen, Maryland.

Player Statistics

Draft Scout Player News

11/16/16 - LB Erin Henderson (non-football illness) isn't likely to return to the Jets this season. Henderson was placed on the NFL list on Oct. 22 and is eligible to return for week 15. But general manager Mike Maccagnan said Wednesday that Henderson, who sat out the 2014 season following a pair of DUI arrests, is " ... taking some time to deal with a few things." Maccagnan said the Jets would address Henderson's situation " ... at the end of the season."

09/16/16 - ILB Erin Henderson (foot) did not return to Thursday's game after he was injured in the second quarter of the Jets 37-31 victory over the Bills. Henderson underwent an MRI on Friday. An extended absence for Henderson would likely open up more playing time for rookie ILB Darron Lee.

08/21/16 - ILB Erin Henderson (stinger) did not practice Sunday but appears to be recovering quickly from the injury he sustained against the Redskins on Friday. Coach Todd Bowles said he would list Henderson as "probable" were the Jets playing a regular-season game this week -- thought that is a designation the NFL eliminated Sunday. Bowles expects Henderson to suit up against the Giants in the "dress rehearsal" third exhibition game on Saturday night.

08/15/15 - LB Erin Henderson (left knee) suffered a sprained MCL in Thursday's 23-3 loss to the Lions. While the injury shouldn't be season-ending, it could hurt Henderson's chances of making the Jets. Henderson, who sat out last season following a pair of arrests for drunken driving, was impressive in training camp workouts and appeared to be a favorite for a backup spot.

04/07/15 - LB Erin Henderson was signed by the Jets Tuesday (April 7).

Note: External news links will open in a new browser window. Draft Scout provides this information as extra research on the above player and cannot guarantee links will always work due to newspapers changing publishing links and stories at any time. We will not post any external links that make you to sign up for membership at posting, unless that outlet changes it's service over time, all should be clean, direct news links.